It’s been a minute since I hit the city streets of New York, so I figured I’d mark my return to the Big Apple with a trip to Luda’s Private Album Screening (it wasn’t that private, lol). Since I spoke to Luda several days ago, I had no intentions on even requesting to speak with Luva Luva, I just wanted to enjoy the festivities…and I basically did just that.

I hit downtown about 30 minutes before the venue opened it’s doors, but of course there was already a hefty line to get inside. Since I’m not TOOO Hollywood, I waited in my designated position and chopped it with a couple of my industry cohorts. The homey Somya arrived shortly after I did and refused to wait in line, so she proceeded to strong arm whoever was in front. Surprisingly, she got inside within the next 3 minutes (lucky punk). As it began to rain, I pondered doing the same thing. Luckily, some of my Def Jam comrades spotted me in the crowd and pulled me right inside (ok, so I’m a tad bit Hollywood, but who isn’t?).

Once inside, I located the nourishment (food and liquor) and got busy. The venue, which was at a decent size, filled to capacity about 10 minutes after my arrival. I talked to my homey Melo for a bit (she kept bragging about Sean Pecas’s B-Day party last night at TAJ….Jay-Z, Nas, Fab and Swizz came out) Packed, to say the least, I scooted my light skinned behind to the back of the venue since everyone and their MOTHER was on the hunt for VIP access. See, the DJ was set up upstairs, and obviously, that’s where Luda would be hosting the nights festivities. Before the man of the hour arrived, the VIP area looked like the general area; packed like a sardine can.

Before the listening session commenced, LA Reid, Young Sav, Steve-O, Miss Info and a couple other important industry personnel made their way to the VIP corner. Shortly after, Luda snuck his way in and got down to business. He played several records from the Lp which included; “MVP”, a track produced by DJ Premiere (Primo’s first track with a southern artist), “Last of a Dying Breed” co-starring Lil Wayne, “One More Drink” co-starring T-Pain, and “Everybody Hates Chris” co-starring Chris Rock (sh*t is funny as all hell). Since the speakers kept cutting in and out Luda cut the session short and instructed everyone to the two theaters (you needed either a blue ticket or red ticket to gain access. I had both, lol).

We (me and Melo) grabbed some popcorn and made our way down to the front since the back of the theater was already packed. I copped a squat and began chomping on my pizopcorn. Miss Info, who was sitting about 7 feet away from me, yells over, “Yo Low, did you hear your shout on Hot97 earlier”. I replied, “Nah, what did you say”. If your not familiar, Miss Info is Hot 97’s, News Director. Every night she does the “Celebrity Drama” report on Funkmaster Flex’s show and last night LowKeezy got a nice lil shout for some information I posted yesterday.

After our mini quarrel (she wouldn’t tell me what she said on her report), Luda, MTV’s, Sway, Chaka Zulu and the rest of the DTP/Def Jam family made their way into the theater. Sway took some time to introduce the man of the hour and Luda took a couple seconds to introduce the film we were about to watch. In the clip, they showed some behind the scenes footage of Luda’s first single, “What Them Girls Like” and also his new clip, “Undisputed” featuring Floyd Mayweather. While watching “Undisputed”, I whipped out my apparatus and recorded about 2 minutes of the video. As to whether or not that should’ve been done, who knows, but it sure was a good video (check out some of it RIGHT HERE). 

During his Q&A Luda discussed being extremely underrated, his pool house burning down the other day (he was actually laughing about it), being financially stable and resolving his beef with T.I., a process that’s been going on for quite some time. All in all, the night was well put together. Good food, free drinks, a couple honey dips and great people. Shouts to the homies, Young Sav, Nicole (Lenny S’s assistant), Tim (fool!), Mazzi, Tapemasters Inc (welcome back), Steve-O, Nigel D (prick), Melo, Miss Info (watch your back) and everyone else I missed. Of course, pics are below! ENJOY (Good LOOKS, D)

Sincerely

Low “I have this sudden urge to go to the movies, tonight” Key 

Luda’s movie poster for Theater of the Mind.

Ludacris arrives in style at Tribeca Cinemas. 

Young Sav (in the blue sweater) and Steve-O (in the green sweater) look over the crowd at last night’s event. 

Ludacris walks us through some of the tracks on Theater of the Mind.  

Luda’s blue ticket for the Theater of the Mind Q&A session.  

Ludacris shares a laugh with the audience during his Q&A session at Tribeca Cinemas last night. 

Ok, so maybe my job doesn’t ALWAYS embody the dopeness that I speak about, but it damn sure makes for some interesting commentary lol. Last night, of course, I was ripping and running through the big apple, event hopping like I had nothing else to do with my life (I actually didn’t). First, TG (BET.Com’s Director of Music Development & Marketing) and I hit up Karina Pasian’s Dinner Showcase at the STK Lounge in the meatpacking district. And while the alcoholic consumption was free, dinner was NOWHERE TO BE FOUND! As far as Karina performance, superb. TG said she reminds him of a young Alicia and I had to agree. 16 years old with such a seasoned voice, shorty is destined for greatness.

At the conclusion of that event, my homey Imo scooped me up and and we headed to the Yung Berg album listening session. Free alcohol once again, I made my rounds with cups of something toxic in my hand. Yung Berg, who’s finally getting his shot at releasing a product to the masses, seemed kind of unenthusiastic during the playing of his album cuts. I don’t know if he was perturbed with the lack of attention he was receiving or what, but something was iggin him, at least it seemed that way to me. I chopped it up with the homey Shaheem from MTV.Com and a couple other media associates for a couple of minutes and then made my way towards the exit sign.

At the conclusion of THAT event, I made my way down to Cipriani’s for DJ Cassidy’s Birthday party. When I tell you that place was a zoo, I hold that sentiment to the highest of it’s abilities. Though I had no trouble gaining access to the red carpet (gooooood loooks, Vanessa), 20 minutes after I got situated, people started coming from every direction possible attempting to get inside. Usually, the ambiance of “Let me in, do you know who I am?” doesn’t bother me, but last night, people were literally overdosing on the sentiment. I can understand people wanna party and have a good time, but damn, let the doorman and security do their job. Regardless, the turnout was major and I had an incredible time witnessing everyone bargaining their life’s away with the doorman and doorwoman attempting to gain access.

Anyway, I have an ish load of work to get done today, and this is only the first of MANY SoundOff posts. Scroll down for  some visuals and colorful commentary from my industry excurison last night lol.

Sincerely

Low “I’m 2 minutes from falling asleep on this keyboard” Key

The house was sort of packed for Young Berg’s album listening session….

Yung Berg introducing a couple tracks off his new album, Look What You Made.

Look at what New York made Yung Berg…..

Look what Cali made Yung Berg...

As you can see, Berg was ready to hit the road…. 

BET’s, Sharon Carpenter hits the red carpet at DJ Cassidy’s B-Day party…. 

Dr. Ben Chavis looks sort of confused, but ready to party….

The line ouside of Cipriani’s last night was INSANE,  so I took a picture of it lol…..

So So Def’s “Digital Darling”, Dondria smiles for the flashing lights 

Executive VP of Def Jam, Shakir Stewart and VP of A&R, Lenny S were all smiles at DJ Cassidy’s B-Day Party…. 

Hip Hop violinist, Miri-Ben Ari hits the red carpet…..

So adorable! Now if only we can get Cassie to release some music…. 

You KNOW Jermaine Dupri was in attendance…..

Mashonda looking oh so scrumptious at DJ Cassidy’s B-Day party….. 

Yung Berg and that DAMN Transformers piece….. 

Kevin Liles gets in on the action at DJ Cassidy’s B-Day party…. 

Swizzy The Monster made a quick appearance….. 

Russell Simmons poses for the cameras at DJ Cassidy’s B-Day party….

Terrance J and DJ Envy point out each others coolness during DJ Cassidy’s B-Day party…. 

Lil X slid through to wish DJ Cassidy a happy birthday….. 

Finally, the birthday boy, DJ Cassidy hit the red carpet with his million dollar smile….. 

Maybe I’m buggin, but is a 9-5 supposed to be this much fun?? Nah, right (what up Eskay lol?) I swear, if I’m not talking to one of my favorite artists, I’m traveling across country to an event. And if I’m not outta town, I’m at some function where the alcoholic consumption is free of charge (well not last night, but you get the idea) and Jermaine Dupri is yelling at me to get  his artists’ feature up online (Whas good JD lol, it’ll be done before COB). Regardless of what’s going on, just know your boy is having a blast. Last night I hit up Vibe’s Real Rap Issue Party at Club Ono , and judging by the ambiance that blessed the facility, to the untrained industry eye, one would have thought it was an after party for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards.

Of course, I had my roadie Edaki with me, so you already know how it gets when we hit the town. However, E wasn’t feeling the sardine can like atmosphere, so he bolted early, but of course I got a nice flick of him reading a magazine lol. PRICELESS! As soon as I stepped foot inside, my homey, Melo purchased me a L.I.T. and since it was incredibly strong, I was feeling a BIT friendlier than usual. We posted up at the bar for a minute, you know, looking cool and ish like that. At first, it was pretty light inside, DJ Envy was in one corner, DJ Cassidy was spinning everything under the sun and the ladies, ahhhhhhh the ladies were looking incredibly scrumptious. King of the South, T.I.P showed up unexpectedly and even posed for a quick snap shot (check below). Talked some business with the homey Shaheem Reid from MTV and grabbed another beverage. After being stiffed at the door, the homey Jackpot FINALLY got inside, which is when the real fun started!

All of a sudden, it got a tad bit crazy. First JD and the digital darling, Dondria (whad up, DD lol?) showed up. Then Ebro, Hot 97’s Program Director came in and hit the bar. Next, Fabolous and his Street Family goons hit the VIP section with DJ Clue close by. Lenny S discreetly maneuvered his way around the lounge while Young Sav and Steve-O kept things poppin on the patio. Ace Hood slid by as DJ Envy punched me in the elbow making me almost drop my drink (prick, lol). Young Sav and I asked Lenny S about the “Put On” remix with Jay-Z, in which he gave us this GUILTY smirk (that means it’s coming soon). JD and I talked about keeping Dondria’s online presence strong because that’s basically where she originated. He explained to me in DETAIL on how he wanted to execute that plan, which sounded pretty damn solid. Danyel Smith, EIC of VIBE Magazine, took some time to ask me why Howard University was blanketing the entire entertainment industry with its insanely talented personnel (her online editor, Jozen Cummings is also a Howard alumni, WHAD UP HOMEY?)

As I was making my rounds, I bumped into a young lady by the name of Nicky Nice. During my spot to spot moves, she was nice enough to watch my drink….which was pretty damn awesome. During our chop it up session, the man of the hour, Young Jeezy appeared out of nowhere lol. He made his way to the VIP patio and basically took over. Soon after, Swizz Beatz, Chaka Zulu, Terrence J, Alesha Renee, Irv Gotti and Nas came through and basically made Ono, the spot to be July 8, 2008.

I can’t front, this is pretty much a dope ass job with some dope ass perks. And to show you how dope it is, check out these DOPE ass pictures , Me, Johnny Nunez and Ronnie Wright snapped last night! I’m GHOST!

Sincerely

Low “Does life get better than this? Yea, so keep it locked to see how good it gets” Key

Vibe Magazine and Tequilla 1800 kept the party going till about 1am….

Sean Pecas, Jermaine Dupri, Swizz Beatz, Irv Gotti,Young Jeezy and Fabolous mean mug for the flashing lights..

TI hitting the VIP patio…

VIP Patio at club Ono….

Cute lil honey dip at Vibe’s Real Rap Issue Party…Damn it, I should have asked for her name!

DJ Cassidy getting busy on the 1’s and 2’s.

VIBE EIC, Danyel Smith and Irv Gotti share a couple laughs…

The man with no title hits the red carpet…

I have NO idea who this is, but she’s a cutie….

VIBE correspondent, Audrea chats it up with video director, Little X…..

Red Cafe and DJ Envy throw it up for BET.Com…..

Jermaine Dupri and Ebro chop it up on the VIP Patio….

Young Jeezy and Fabolous sippin on some Tequilla 1800….

Swizzy, Sean Pecas (the tall bald one) and Young Jeezy meet up on the VIP Patio……

The homey, Nicky Nice, held it down for VIBE Magazine…..

“Can’t front, I’m missin the old DJ Clue tapes”- Joe Budden

Tim Glover, Young Sav and Steve-O repping strong for Def Jam records and Best Of Both Offices

Either he was confused on how small my camera was or how CLOSE it was to his face lol……(no he’s not giving me the finger lol)

LowKey at it once again…..

I swear E was sooooooooooo focused on that Young Jeezy article…….

Young Jeezy and his Tequilla 1800….

INCREDIBLE……

Young Jeezy acting a fool with Playboy’s “Girls Next Door”…..

The brown skin vixen, D.Wright…….;)

Look at Jeezy stuntin……

Nas, Swizz Beatz and Young Jeezy get it poppin at Vibe’s Real Rap Issue Party….

DJ Cassidy gets a taste of the flashing lights and some Tequilla 1800….

Not ONE scuff. That’s how you maneuver through a party with a fresh pair of kicks….lol!